Why did Debbie Rush leave Coronation Street?

The 51-year-old actress filmed her goodbye on the set of Nick's Bistro, thanking viewers "from the bottom of her heart" for sticking with the storyline for months on end.

Speaking on the soap's official Instagram account Debbie said: "So this is me now, I've finished my last ever scene on the Cobbles this evening and I just want to say all our viewers out there.

"Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for supporting Anna, for being with her on the whole of the journey, for sending all your love and just basically for being amazing and being part of our wonderful Corrie family because that's what we think of you, our viewers, so from me it's goodbye and wish me well in prison!"

COBBLES CON MEN

A source told us: “Debbie decided she wanted a new challenge. So when it came to signing her new one-year deal she told show boss Kate Oates — and Kieran Roberts, the show’s exec producer — she would be leaving once that was up. They completely understood and despite wanting her to stay, gave her their blessing to move on.

“Debbie wanted to give them loads of time to think of a great way to see Anna leave the cobbles.”

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